Assignment 1- Illumination Engineering

Gurbir Singh (12104049)

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Compact Fluorescent Lamps

(CFL) vs. Light Emitting Diode
(LED) bulbs.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps

CFLs operate similarly to conventional fluorescent lamps where electricity is used to

activate mercury vapour that resides in the glass tube. The current affects the
mercury atoms to make ultraviolet (UV) light which is not visible to the eye. The
photons from the ultraviolet light hit a phosphor layer inside the bulb housing to emit
photons of visible light thereby creating light output from the tube. The ultraviolet light
may cause fading in paintings or textiles. The mercury contained within the lamp
means that the light bulbs need to be properly disposed of as compact fluorescent
bulbs dumped in landfills burst, causing mercury to be released, draining into the
ground, ultimately contaminating the food chain. Some states, such as California,
ban the disposal of mercury-containing bulbs in the trash. Some state laws require
fluorescent bulbs to be collected as hazardous waste or properly recycled.
Unlike fluorescent tubes that don't contain circuitry, compact fluorescent usually
integrate all of the necessary circuits in the bottom of the light allowing the single unit
to be used in a standard incandescent light bulb socket. CFLs come in a variety of
styles and shapes, but one will often see them in a tube or spiral option. Higher
surface area allows for a higher light output in CFLs.

LED Lighting

Solid-state lighting, more commonly known as LED (light-emitting diode) lighting is a

solid semiconductor light source that doesn't use a gas tube like that of the CFL.
Light from an LED is made when electricity is applied through the semi-conductor
doped with impurities to create one half which is a "p-side", and another half that
forms the "n-side". The charge-carriers (electrons and holes) flow into the p-n
junction where these two halves meet, and releases energy in the form of a photon,
thereby creating light. The color of the light output depends on the materials forming
the p-n junction. There is no filament to burn out, and unlike CFLs, LED lights do not
contain the toxic mercury, nor do they emit ultraviolet light.
To get a bright output, many older models of LED light bulbs had resorted to
clustering many individual LEDs into a one housing, however many of the newer
LED bulbs drive a single high powered LED element. These LED light bulbs are
considerably smaller than their CFL counterparts, and are offered in form factors that
produce a directional beam through the use of a glass or plastic lens, or encased
behind a frosted diffuser to provide wider light coverage.

Summary of Benefits
Less Expensive Electricity Bill:
Although the cost of the light bulbs are initially more expensive, both CFL and LED
lamps save you money long run. Less electricity is used, and bulbs are being

replaced much less frequently; LEDs use about half the amount of electricity that
CFLs that output the same brightness use.

Long Lifespan:
Run-times of CFL bulbs typically range from 6,000 hours to 15,000 hours while the
typical lifespan of an incandescent lamp is around 1,000 hours. A LED lamp can last
50,000 to 60,000 hours which equates to around 5 or 6 years (10 times longer than a
CFL).

High quality light output:

Both CFL and LED bulbs can now provide a range of colour temperatures.
Consumers are no longer restricted to the blueish, "cool-white", of earlier bulbs, and
can now buy warmer coloured lamps. Lower quality CFL bulbs that use a magnetic
ballast will flicker; Look for an electronic ballast when buying a CFL. LEDs are driven
so that they don't flicker.

Versatility:
Indoor, outdoor, home, or commercial LED and CFL bulbs can be used in a many
different types of applications where conventional bulbs were once used. LED bulbs
and CFLs can be used in track lighting, table lamps, task lighting, recessed fixtures,
and ceiling fixtures. Both types of bulbs are available in dimmable models for use
with a standard dimmer switch.

Durability:
Since LED light bulbs don't use a filament like incandescent, they are shock
resistant and can be used in high vibration applications.

Summary of Drawbacks and Limitations

CFLs:
No spot lights - Since CFLs don't project a focused beam like an LED bulb, they are
best used for area lighting.
Temperature sensitivity - CFLs are sensitive to heat, their lifetime will be reduced if
the fixture does not properly dissipate heat. CFLs are also affected by cold. CFLs will
take considerably longer to reach full brightness in cold weather.; In extreme
situations they may not properly warm up.

Warm-up time - LED lights turn on instantly, while CFLs take a few minutes to warm
up and provide full brightness.
Hazardous waste - CFLs contain mercury and must be properly disposed of. The
EPA website provides proper disposal options. LEDs do not contain mercury.
Frequent Cycling Lowers Lifespan - In high traffic areas, such as home bathrooms,
where CFLs are turned on and off often, their lifespan will decrease quickly.
Ultraviolet Light - CFL bulbs can emit UV-light which may not be desirable for certain
applications.

LEDs:
High initial cost - The LED bulbs themselves are costly, but the initial investment is
quickly recuperated in lower electricity bills.
Heat generation - Certain high power (5w and up) LED light bulbs may produce
significant heat. Heat-sinks are often built into the bulbs themselves, and may
require LED specific fixtures to ensure proper air-flow.
LED light bulbs are becoming the choice for energy efficient lighting due to their
varied bulb options, and the ease of which the light output can be layered and
controlled when compared with CFL bulbs.